Server for sending new application portions to mobile wireless communications devices and related methods

ABSTRACT

A communications system is to communicate with an application server storing a plurality of applications. The communications system includes a mobile wireless communications device configured to store at least one application from among the plurality of applications, the at least one application having stored version information associated therewith. An intermediate server is configured to update the mobile wireless communications device by at least obtaining respective current version information for associated current versions of the plurality of applications and obtaining the stored application version information from the mobile wireless communications device for the at least one stored application. The stored application version information is compared with the current version information for the at least one stored application. New application portions are downloaded from a current application associated with the current version information, and the new application portions are sent to the mobile wireless communications device.

RELATED APPLICATION

This application is based upon prior filed copending provisionalapplication Ser. No. 61/103,782 filed Oct. 8, 2008, the entire subjectmatter of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to the field of communications systems,and, more particularly, to mobile wireless communications systems andrelated methods.

BACKGROUND

Cellular communications systems continue to grow in popularity and havebecome an integral part of both personal and business communications.Cellular telephones allow users to place and receive voice calls mostanywhere they travel. Moreover, as cellular telephone technology hasincreased, so too has the functionality of cellular devices and thedifferent types of devices available to users. For example, manycellular devices now incorporate personal digital assistant (PDA)features such as calendars, address books, task lists, etc. Moreover,such multi-function or “smart” devices may also allow users towirelessly send and receive electronic mail (email) messages and accessthe Internet via a cellular network and/or a wireless local area network(WLAN), for example.

Mobile devices such as smart phones are also capable of runningrelatively sophisticated applications, such as games, documentprocessing applications, chat or instant messaging applications, etc. Asa result, it may be desirable to provide enhanced approaches foraccessing and managing applications and upgrades thereto for mobiledevices, especially as new applications and new versions of existingapplications continue to be developed and become available.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a communications system inaccordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 2A is a schematic diagram illustrating an application stored on themobile wireless communications device (of FIG. 1) compared with acurrent version of that application stored on an application server (ofFIG. 1).

FIG. 2B is a schematic diagram illustrating the application stored onthe mobile wireless communications device (of FIG. 1) as updated withthe new portions shown in FIG. 2A.

FIG. 3A is a schematic diagram illustrating an application stored on themobile wireless communications device (of FIG. 1) compared with acurrent version of that application stored on an application server (ofFIG. 1).

FIG. 3B is a schematic diagram illustrating the application stored onthe mobile wireless communications device (of FIG. 1) as updated withthe new portions shown in FIG. 3A.

FIG. 4 is a front view of the mobile wireless communications device ofFIG. 1 receiving an input of application selection preferences.

FIG. 5 is a front view of the mobile wireless communications device ofFIG. 1 displaying a notification of availability of new applicationsbased upon the selection preferences.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart illustrating a method of operating thecommunications system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a schematic block diagram of an alternative embodimentcommunications system in accordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 8 is a schematic block diagram illustrating exemplary components ofa mobile wireless communications device that may be used with thecommunications system disclosed in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present description is made with reference to the accompanyingdrawings, in which various embodiments are shown. However, manydifferent embodiments may be used, and thus the description should notbe construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather,these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thoroughand complete. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout.

Generally speaking, a communications system is to communicate with anapplication server storing a plurality of applications and may compriseat least one mobile wireless communications device configured to storeat least one application from among the plurality of applications. Theat least one application may have stored version information associatedtherewith. An intermediate server may be configured to update the atleast one mobile wireless communications device by at least obtainingrespective current version information for associated current versionsof the plurality of applications, and obtaining the stored applicationversion information from the at least one mobile wireless communicationsdevice for the at least one stored application. The intermediate servermay also be configured to obtain the respective current versioninformation from the application server.

In addition, the intermediate server may compare the stored applicationversion information with the current version information for the atleast one stored application and may download new application portionsfrom a current application associated with the current versioninformation. The new application portions may be sent to the at leastone mobile wireless communications device.

Further, the intermediate server may update the at least one mobilewireless device without a request therefrom. The intermediate server mayalso send a notification to the at least one mobile wirelesscommunications device of availability of at least one new applicationbased upon at least one selection preference. Moreover, the intermediateserver may send the notification without a request from the at least onemobile wireless communications device. The at least one selectionpreference may comprise at least one of an application type and anapplication name.

Also, the at least one mobile wireless communications device mayselectively permit the intermediate server to obtain the stored versioninformation. The at least one mobile wireless communications device mayinstall the new application portions based upon no user input.Alternatively, the at least one mobile wireless communications devicemay install the new application portions based upon user input. The atleast one mobile communications device may comprise a processor and amemory cooperating therewith and the intermediate server may alsocomprise a processor and a memory cooperating therewith.

Another aspect is directed to a communications system comprising anapplication server comprising an application module for storing aplurality of applications. The communications system may include atleast one mobile wireless communications device configured to store atleast one application from among the plurality of applications, the atleast one application having stored version information associatedtherewith. The application server may further comprise an intermediatemodule configured to update the at least one mobile wirelesscommunications device by at least obtaining respective current versioninformation from the application module for associated current versionsof the plurality of applications, and obtaining the stored applicationversion information from the at least one mobile wireless communicationsdevice for the at least one stored application. The intermediate modulemay also compare the stored application version information with thecurrent version information for the at least one stored application anddownload new application portions from a current application associatedwith the current version information. Further, the intermediate modulemay send the new application portions to the at least one mobilewireless communications device.

A method aspect is directed to a method of operating an intermediateserver for communicating with an application server storing a pluralityof applications for updating a mobile wireless communications devicestoring at least one application from among the plurality ofapplications, the at least one application having stored versioninformation associated therewith. The method may include obtainingrespective current version information for associated current versionsof the plurality of applications. The respective current versioninformation may be obtained from the application server. Furthermore,the stored application version information may be obtained from the atleast one mobile wireless communications device for the at least onestored application. The stored application version information may becompared with the current version information for the at least onestored application. New application portions may be downloaded from acurrent application associated with the current version information. Thenew application portions may be sent to the at least one mobile wirelesscommunications device.

With reference to FIG. 1, a communications system 10 including a mobilewireless communications device 12 according to the present disclosure isnow described. Although the communications system 10 is described withreference to one mobile wireless communications device 12, it should bereadily understood that there may be any number of mobile wirelesscommunications devices belonging to the communications system.

The communications system 10 includes an application server 18 whichcomprises a processor 20 and a memory 19 cooperating therewith forstoring a plurality of applications. The plurality of applications mayinclude any applications for the mobile wireless communications device12, for example games, or map applications.

The mobile wireless communications device 12 comprises a processor 16coupled to a memory 13, a wireless transceiver 14, an input device 15,and a display 17. The memory may be volatile memory, such as RAM, ornon-volatile memory, such as flash RAM or a hard drive. The input device15 may be a keyboard, a thumbwheel, or a trackball, for example. Theinput device 15 may also be a microphone or a wireless receiver (e.g.bluetooth), as will be appreciated by those of skill in the art. Ofcourse, the display 17 may be a touch sensitive screen and may thereforealso serve as the input device 15. In addition, the mobile wirelesscommunications device 12 may include a portable housing and arechargeable battery.

The processor 16 cooperates with the memory 13 and the wirelesstransceiver 14 for communicating with an intermediate server 22 via awireless network 11, that may typically be provided by a cellulartelephone network, but any suitable network (for example, WiFi) may beused. The network may be a Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) network,a 3G network, or other suitable cellular network. Such a cellularnetwork provides for data transfer communications in addition to voicecommunications, and provides connectivity with the Internet.

The intermediate server 22 comprises a processor 24 cooperating with amemory 25 and a transceiver 23 for communicating with the applicationserver 18. This communication may be via the Internet. The processor 24,and a memory 25 of the intermediate server 22 are also for obtainingrespective current version information for associated current versionsof the plurality of applications. That is, the intermediate server 22learns the versions of the applications stored on the application server18. The intermediate server 22 may obtain this current versioninformation by polling the application server 22, or the applicationserver may send it to the intermediate server without a requesttherefrom, for example via a server push. Alternatively or additionally,the current version information may be sent to the intermediate server22 from an outside source (i.e. an administrator).

The processor 24 and memory 25 of the intermediate server 22 furtherobtain stored user application version information from the mobilewireless communications device 12. That is, the intermediate server 22learns the version of at least one application stored on the mobilewireless communications device 12. The intermediate server 22 may obtainthe stored user application version from the mobile wirelesscommunications device 12 by polling it, or the mobile wirelesscommunications device may send the stored user application version tothe intermediate server without a request therefrom, for example via aserver push.

The processor 24 and the memory 25 of the intermediate server 22cooperate to compare the stored user application version with thecurrent version information for the at least one stored userapplication. If the comparison shows that the stored user application(on the mobile wireless communications device 12) is an older versionthan the corresponding application stored on the application server 18,the intermediate server 22 downloads, via the transceiver 33, newapplication portions from the corresponding application stored on theapplication server 18. Before the intermediate server 22 downloads thenew application portions, it compares the application stored on themobile wireless communications device 12 with the correspondingapplication stored on the application server 18.

Referring now to FIG. 2A, this comparison is now explained. Theapplication stored on the mobile wireless communications device 12 hasportions A, B, and C. The corresponding application stored on theapplication server 18 is a newer version of the application and includesportions A, B, C, D, and E. The intermediate server 18 downloadsapplication portions D and E, as they are new application portions notincluded in the version of the application stored on the mobile wirelesscommunications device 12.

After the intermediate server 18 downloads the new application portions,it sends them, via the transceiver 23, to the mobile wirelesscommunications device 12 (which downloads them via its transceiver 14)to thereby update the mobile wireless communications device. Theprocessor 16 and memory 13 of the mobile wireless communications device12 cooperate to install the new application portions. As shown in FIG.2B, new application portions D and E have been added to the applicationstored on the mobile wireless communications device 12 (D and E areshaded to show they have been added).

Another example of the comparing and updating is now described withreference to FIGS. 3A and 3B. In FIG. 3A, the application stored on themobile wireless communications device 12 has portions A, B, and C. Thecorresponding application stored on the application server 18 is a newerversion of the application and includes application portions A, C, D, E,and F. Thus, application portions D, E, and F are new, while portion Bhas been removed. The intermediate server 18 downloads applicationportions D, E, and F as they are the new application portions notincluded in the version of the application stored on the mobile wirelesscommunications device 12. Further, the intermediate server 22 recordsthat portion B has been removed from the newer version of theapplication.

The processor 16 and memory 13 of the mobile wireless communicationsdevice 12 cooperate to install the new application portions and toremove the application portions no longer contained in the newer versionof the application. As shown in FIG. 3B, the new application portions D,E, and F have been added to the application stored on the mobilewireless communications device 12 (D, E, and F are shaded to show theyhave been added), while application portion B has been removed(indicated with an X).

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the processor 16 andmemory 13 of the mobile wireless communications device 12 may cooperateto install the new application portions based upon user input (approvalfrom the user to install the new application portions) or based upon nouser input. In some instances, the mobile wireless communications device12 may accept user input of which applications may have new applicationportions installed therefore without user input, and of whichapplications may have the new application portions installed based uponuser input or approval.

In the embodiment schematically illustrated in FIG. 1, the intermediateserver 22 updates the mobile wireless communications device by sendingthe new application portions to the mobile wireless communicationsdevice 12 without a request therefrom, for example using a server push.Of course, in other embodiments, the mobile wireless communicationsdevice 12 may instead poll the intermediate server 22 for the newapplication portions.

In addition, in the illustrated embodiment, the mobile wirelesscommunications device 12 selectively sends the stored applicationversion information to the intermediate server 22. The mobile wirelesscommunications device 12 may accept user selection of which storedapplication version information about which stored user application maybe sent to the intermediate server 22. Therefore, the user mayadvantageously choose which applications he/she would like theintermediate server 22 to update as a matter of course.

In addition to updating applications already stored in the memory 13 ofthe mobile wireless communications device 12, the intermediate server 22may send notification of new applications thereto based upon at leastone selection preference. The selection preference may be a userselection of an application type, application name, applicationdeveloper, features supported by an application (i.e. touch screeninput, device orientation sensor input from a mobile wirelesscommunications device so equipped, etc), or other suitable selectionpreference. For example, a user may wish to be notified of any gamereleases related to a certain movie, or related to a political election.

This functionality of the mobile wireless communications device 12 isnow described with additional reference to FIG. 4. Here, the display 17of the mobile wireless communications device 12 is displaying a list ofapplication categories to the user. The user has selected that he/shewould like to receive notification of the availability of new card &casino games, as indicated by the check mark in the box next to thatcategory. This selection preference has been sent from the mobilewireless communications device 12 to the intermediate server 22.

With further reference to FIG. 1, the intermediate server 22 sendsnotification of availability of at least one new application to themobile wireless communications device 12 based upon the at least oneselection preference, without a request therefrom. For example, thisnotification may be sent via a server push, but in other embodiments,the mobile wireless communications device 12 may instead query theintermediate server 22 for availability of the at least one newapplication.

Shown in FIG. 5 is the notification received by the mobile wirelesscommunications device 12 and displayed on the display 17 thereof. Here,the mobile wireless communications device 12 has received and isdisplaying notification of the availability of ABC Solitaire, XYZ Poker,and QQQ Black Jack. The user may now select at least one of theapplications to download and install. The download may be directly fromthe application server 18 or may instead be from the intermediate server22. In some applications, the application server 18 or the intermediateserver 22 may send the new applications to the mobile wirelesscommunications device 12 without a request therefrom, for example via aserver push.

Those skilled in the art will understand that the application server 18and the intermediate server 22 need not be separate entities. Indeed,such an alternative embodiment of the communications system 10′ is nowdescribed with reference to FIG. 7. In this embodiment, the applicationserver 18′ comprises an application module 40′ to store the plurality ofapplications and an intermediate module 41′. The application module 40′and the intermediate module 41′ perform the same functions as theapplication server 18 and intermediate server 22, respectively, asdescribed above. As such, no further description of the applicationmodule 40′ and intermediate module 41′ is required, although it shouldbe noted that the application module and intermediate module maycomprise computer executable instructions that are stored in the memory19′ of the application server 18′ and executed by the processor 20′ ofthe application server.

A method of operating an intermediate server in accordance with thepresent disclosure is now described with reference to flowchart 30 ofFIG. 6. After the start (Block 31), at Block 32, respective currentversion information is obtained from an application server forassociated current versions of a plurality of applications storedthereon. At Block 33, stored application version information is obtainedfrom at least one mobile wireless communications device for at least oneapplication stored thereon.

At Block 34, the stored application version information is compared withthe current version information for the at least one stored application.At Block 35, new application portions are downloaded from a currentapplication associated with the current version information. At Block36, the new application portions are sent to the at least one mobilewireless communications device. Block 37 indicates the end of themethod.

Exemplary components of a hand-held mobile wireless communicationsdevice 1000 that may be used in accordance with the present disclosureare further described in the example below with reference to FIG. 8. Thedevice 1000 illustratively includes a housing 1200, a keypad 1400 and anoutput device 1600. The output device shown is a display 1600, which maycomprise a full graphic LCD. In some embodiments, display 1600 maycomprise a touch-sensitive input and output device. Other types ofoutput devices may alternatively be utilized. A processing device 1800is contained within the housing 1200 and is coupled between the keypad1400 and the display 1600. The processing device 1800 controls theoperation of the display 1600, as well as the overall operation of themobile device 1000, in response to actuation of keys on the keypad 1400by the user. In some embodiments, keypad 1400 may comprise a physicalkeypad or a virtual keypad (e.g., using a touch-sensitive interface) orboth.

The housing 1200 may be elongated vertically, or may take on other sizesand shapes (including clamshell housing structures). The keypad 1400 mayinclude a mode selection key, or other hardware or software forswitching between text entry and telephony entry.

In addition to the processing device 1800, other parts of the mobiledevice 1000 are shown schematically in FIG. 8. These include acommunications subsystem 1001; a short-range communications subsystem1020; the keypad 1400 and the display 1600, along with otherinput/output devices 1060, 1080, 1100 and 1120; as well as memorydevices 1160, 1180 and various other device subsystems 1201. The mobiledevice 1000 may comprise a two-way RF communications device having voiceand data communications capabilities. In addition, the mobile device1000 may have the capability to communicate with other computer systemsvia the Internet.

Operating system software executed by the processing device 1800 may bestored in a persistent store, such as the flash memory 1160, but may bestored in other types of memory devices, such as a read only memory(ROM) or similar storage element. In addition, system software, specificdevice applications, or parts thereof, may be temporarily loaded into avolatile store, such as the random access memory (RAM) 1180.Communications signals received by the mobile device may also be storedin the RAM 1180.

The processing device 1800, in addition to its operating systemfunctions, enables execution of software applications 1300A-1300N on thedevice 1000. A predetermined set of applications that control basicdevice operations, such as data and voice communications 1300A and1300B, may be installed on the device 1000 during manufacture. Inaddition, a personal information manager (PIM) application may beinstalled during manufacture. The PIM may be capable of organizing andmanaging data items, such as e-mail, calendar events, voice mails,appointments, and task items. The PIM application may also be capable ofsending and receiving data items via a wireless network 1401. The PIMdata items may be seamlessly integrated, synchronized and updated viathe wireless network 1401 with the device user's corresponding dataitems stored or associated with a host computer system.

Communication functions, including data and voice communications, areperformed through the communications subsystem 1001, and possiblythrough the short-range communications subsystem. The communicationssubsystem 1001 includes a receiver 1500, a transmitter 1520, and one ormore antennas 1540 and 1560. In addition, the communications subsystem1001 also includes a processing module, such as a digital signalprocessor (DSP) 1580, and local oscillators (LOs) 1601. The specificdesign and implementation of the communications subsystem 1001 isdependent upon the communications network in which the mobile device1000 is intended to operate. For example, a mobile device 1000 mayinclude a communications subsystem 1001 designed to operate with theMobitex™, Data TAC™ or General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) mobile datacommunications networks, and also designed to operate with any of avariety of voice communications networks, such as AMPS, TDMA, CDMA,WCDMA, PCS, GSM, EDGE, etc. Other types of data and voice networks, bothseparate and integrated, may also be utilized with the mobile device1000. The mobile device 1000 may also be compliant with othercommunications standards such as 3GSM, 3G, UMTS, 4G, etc.

Network access requirements vary depending upon the type ofcommunication system. For example, in the Mobitex and DataTAC networks,mobile devices are registered on the network using a unique personalidentification number or PIN associated with each device. In GPRSnetworks, however, network access is associated with a subscriber oruser of a device. A GPRS device therefore utilizes a subscriber identitymodule, commonly referred to as a SIM card, in order to operate on aGPRS network.

When required network registration or activation procedures have beencompleted, the mobile device 1000 may send and receive communicationssignals over the communication network 1401. Signals received from thecommunications network 1401 by the antenna 1540 are routed to thereceiver 1500, which provides for signal amplification, frequency downconversion, filtering, channel selection, etc., and may also provideanalog to digital conversion. Analog-to-digital conversion of thereceived signal allows the DSP 1580 to perform more complexcommunications functions, such as demodulation and decoding. In asimilar manner, signals to be transmitted to the network 1401 areprocessed (e.g. modulated and encoded) by the DSP 1580 and are thenprovided to the transmitter 1520 for digital to analog conversion,frequency up conversion, filtering, amplification and transmission tothe communication network 1401 (or networks) via the antenna 1560.

In addition to processing communications signals, the DSP 1580 providesfor control of the receiver 1500 and the transmitter 1520. For example,gains applied to communications signals in the receiver 1500 andtransmitter 1520 may be adaptively controlled through automatic gaincontrol algorithms implemented in the DSP 1580.

In a data communications mode, a received signal, such as a text messageor web page download, is processed by the communications subsystem 1001and is input to the processing device 1800. The received signal is thenfurther processed by the processing device 1800 for an output to thedisplay 1600, or alternatively to some other auxiliary I/O device 1060.A device user may also compose data items, such as e-mail messages,using the keypad 1400 and/or some other auxiliary I/O device 1060, suchas a touchpad, a rocker switch, a thumb-wheel, track ball, or some othertype of input device. The composed data items may then be transmittedover the communications network 1401 via the communications subsystem1001.

In a voice communications mode, overall operation of the device issubstantially similar to the data communications mode, except thatreceived signals are output to a speaker 1100, and signals fortransmission are generated by a microphone 1120. Alternative voice oraudio I/O subsystems, such as a voice message recording subsystem, mayalso be implemented on the device 1000. In addition, the display 1600may also be utilized in voice communications mode, for example todisplay the identity of a calling party, the duration of a voice call,or other voice call related information.

The short-range communications subsystem enables communication betweenthe mobile device 1000 and other proximate systems or devices, whichneed not necessarily be similar devices. For example, the short-rangecommunications subsystem may include an infrared device and associatedcircuits and components, or a Bluetooth™ communications module toprovide for communication with similarly-enabled systems and devices

Many modifications and other embodiments of the invention will come tothe mind of one skilled in the art having the benefit of the teachingspresented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings.Therefore, it is understood that the invention is not to be limited tothe specific embodiments disclosed, and that modifications andembodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appendedclaims.

1. A communications system to communicate with an application serverstoring a plurality of applications, the communications systemcomprising: at least one mobile wireless communications deviceconfigured to store at least one application from among the plurality ofapplications, the at least one application having stored versioninformation associated therewith; and an intermediate server configuredto update said at least one mobile wireless communications device by atleast obtaining respective current version information for associatedcurrent versions of the plurality of applications, obtaining the storedapplication version information from said at least one mobile wirelesscommunications device for the at least one stored application, comparingthe stored application version information with the current versioninformation for the at least one stored application, downloading newapplication portions from a current application associated with thecurrent version information, and sending the new application portions tosaid at least one mobile wireless communications device.
 2. Thecommunications system of claim 1, wherein said intermediate serverobtains respective current version information from the applicationserver.
 3. The communications system of claim 1, wherein saidintermediate server updates said at least one mobile wireless devicewithout a request therefrom.
 4. The communications system of claim 1,wherein said intermediate server also sends a notification to said leastone mobile wireless communications device of availability of at leastone new application based upon at least one selection preference.
 5. Thecommunications system of claim 4, wherein said intermediate server sendsthe notification without a request from said at least one mobilewireless communications device.
 6. The communications system of claim 4,wherein the at least one selection preference comprises at least one ofan application type and an application name.
 7. The communicationssystem of claim 1, wherein said at least one mobile wirelesscommunications device selectively permits said intermediate server toobtain the stored version information.
 8. The communications system ofclaim 1, wherein said at least one mobile wireless communications deviceinstalls the new application portions without user input.
 9. Thecommunications system of claim 1, wherein said at least one mobilewireless communications device installs the new application portionsbased upon user input.
 10. The communications system of claim 1, whereinsaid at least one mobile communications device comprises a processor anda memory cooperating therewith.
 11. The communications system of claim1, wherein said intermediate server comprises a processor and a memorycooperating therewith.
 12. An intermediate server configured tocommunicate with an application server storing a plurality ofapplications and to update at least one mobile wireless communicationsdevice, the at least one mobile wireless communications deviceconfigured to store at least one application from among the plurality ofapplications, the at least one application having stored versioninformation associated therewith, the intermediate server comprising: aprocessor and a memory cooperating therewith and configured to obtainrespective current version information for associated current versionsof the plurality of applications, obtain the stored application versioninformation from the at least one mobile wireless communications devicefor the at least one stored application, compare the stored applicationversion information with the current version information for the atleast one stored application, download new application portions from acurrent application associated with the current version information, andsend the new application portions to said at least one mobile wirelesscommunications device.
 13. The intermediate server of claim 12, whereinsaid processor and said memory obtain respective current versioninformation for associated current versions of the plurality ofapplications from the application server.
 14. The intermediate server ofclaim 12, wherein said processor and said memory update the at least onemobile wireless device without a request therefrom.
 15. The intermediateserver of claim 12, wherein said processor and said memory also send anotification to the least one mobile wireless communications device ofavailability of at least one new application based upon at least oneselection preference.
 16. The intermediate server of claim 15, whereinsaid processor and said memory send the notification without a requestfrom the at least one mobile wireless communications device.
 17. Amethod of operating an intermediate server for communicating with anapplication server storing a plurality of applications for updating amobile wireless communications device storing at least one applicationfrom among the plurality of applications, the at least one applicationhaving stored version information associated therewith, the methodcomprising: obtaining respective current version information forassociated current versions of the plurality of applications; obtainingthe stored application version information from the at least one mobilewireless communications device for the at least one stored application;comparing the stored application version information with the currentversion information for the at least one stored application; downloadingnew application portions from a current application associated with thecurrent version information; and sending the new application portions tothe at least one mobile wireless communications device.
 18. The methodof claim 17, wherein the respective current version information forassociated current versions of the plurality of applications is obtainedfrom the application server.
 19. The method of claim 17, wherein theintermediate server updates the at least one mobile wireless devicewithout a request therefrom.
 20. The method of claim 17, furthercomprising sending a notification to the least one mobile wirelesscommunications device of availability of at least one new applicationbased upon at least one selection preference.
 21. The method of claim20, wherein the notification is sent without a request from the at leastone mobile wireless communications device.
 22. The method of claim 17,wherein the at least one selection preference comprises at least one ofan application type and an application name.
 23. A communications systemcomprising: an application server comprising an application module forstoring a plurality of applications; at least one mobile wirelesscommunications device configured to store at least one application fromamong the plurality of applications, the at least one application havingstored version information associated therewith; and said applicationserver further comprising an intermediate module configured to updatesaid at least one mobile wireless communications device by at leastobtaining respective current version information from said applicationmodule for associated current versions of the plurality of applications,obtaining the stored application version information from said at leastone mobile wireless communications device for the at least one storedapplication, comparing the stored application version information withthe current version information for the at least one stored application,downloading new application portions from a current applicationassociated with the current version information, and sending the newapplication portions to said at least one mobile wireless communicationsdevice.
 24. The communications system of claim 23, wherein saidintermediate module updates the at least one mobile wireless devicewithout a request therefrom.
 25. The communications system of claim 23,wherein said intermediate module also sends a notification to the leastone mobile wireless communications device of availability of at leastone new application based upon at least one selection preference. 26.The communications system of claim 23, wherein said intermediate modulesends the notification without a request from the at least one mobilewireless communications device.